The glass laid shattered on the living room floor, and a gold phone case was on the side table. I recognized the phone, of course, where my sister was sitting a minute before. I was called to help the others with grilling for the engagement party. I recalled hearing the laughter that was in the house when I was in the backyard. Then, I heard noise coming from downstairs. My heart dropped, and my body got cold. I rushed down the stairs. It was my sister on the floor, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her makeup was ruined. I asked what was going on. She replied, “Ma...!” I questioned her again, but her heart was heavy, and she couldn’t finish the word, Mama. I decided to ask the makeup artist, but all I heard was, “Your mama! Emergency room!” I was frightened and my whole body was in shock. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I tried to ask people who were close to my sister if they heard something while she was talking on the phone, but everyone’s faces were sad and tearful.

As I stood at the window in my sister’s room, watching for anyone I could see and ask what was going on, I only saw the shiny crystals of snow everywhere. Then, I saw my uncle’s car coming fast. Immediately, I heard a voice in the distance, my aunt, telling them what was going on. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“My sister-in-law has lost consciousness and she is in a terrible state,” said my aunt. I had questions that I couldn’t find answers to, rather, I ended up getting more questions. My mom was in the emergency room. Waiting to hear about her condition was so hard. So many bad things had happened to my family over the years. Why was this happening?

I was raised by a single mom. The war in my country caused my family to split up, and we were separated from my father when I was a little kid. I was left with my mom and I didn’t know anything about my dad. The only thing I knew was that my dad was alive, and he lived in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

By the time it was evening, my uncle came back from the hospital and brought us the good news that my mom had been allowed to leave from the hospital. My heart was filled with joy when I went downstairs to tell my sister the good news. I said a prayer and I thanked God. My mom ended up recovering from her sickness. It was a scary time for my family. That is just one example of the difficulties that my family has gone through. My family has had a hard life and when we start to become happy, it seems like something bad happens. I don’t know what I would do without my mom and I was thankful that she ended up okay.

I’ve learned that my family members are the most important people in my life. I will do my best in my studies so that I can help them. There is no one like my mom in this world. Even though my family has been unlucky, I am going to stay positive. I have learned a lot about life in my short time on earth. One of the most important things is that I have learned is that if I have a strong faith, anything is possible.

© Samani. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.